Two weeks ago, the DIFC Courts organised its first Emirati lawyers' event. The apparent goal of the event was to introduce the DIFC Courts to Emirati lawyers and make them acquainted with the common system of law that is applied in the DIFC Courts. The event marked also the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Courts and the Judicial Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice to provide training in common law system for Emirati lawyers as part of their qualification process. The event was attended by a good number of Emirati lawyers which indicated their interest in the DIFC Courts.
All that is beautiful and bright. However, one question that the organisers did not address, although it was heavily debated during the event, is the issue of language. The DIFC Courts adopt English as the language of proceedings and advocacy. The whole system of the Courts is built around English. So the question that arises is how would Emirati lawyers, many of whom are not fluent in English, practise before the DIFC Courts? The broader question of course is: Should English continue to be the only language that is used at the DIFC Courts?
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